New to chickens, losing feathers . Help

[Man of Chicken]

This summer I built a coop and brought home some chickens. I've got five ladies, three new Hampshire reds, one easter egger, and one black maran. I've had three new Hampshire ones for about 4 months and the other two for about 2 months.

We've battled helminths and coccidiosis and a pneumonia case (originally there were six, she died about a month ago).

But now Dorothy is having an abnormal feather loss. 2 weeks ago I noticed her feathers looking rather ruffled and thought maybe she was molting. But now I'm very concerned. Most of the affected shafts have a blood feather appearance, it mostly affects her head but it does affect her wings and body to a lesser degree. Her comb also is dark and became wrinkled. I can't find any evidence of mites or lice but I'm new to this and could be missing something. I'm attaching some photos.

I ordered a camera to get put in and make sure she's not getting bullied. Could this be molting? Or should I try treating for mites? What do I do?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

She's just molting. She can't preen off the keratin sheath from her head and neck feathers. A flock mate sometimes helps with that. Make sure you have her on a good all flock or grower feed with 18-20% protein. No chicken should be eating layer feed when not laying eggs. Just put out a container of oyster shell for any of the others that may still be laying. I also offer a can of tuna or a tin of sardines 3 times a week during the molt for extra quality protein.

 

[Man of Chicken]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

She's just molting. Make sure you have her on a good all flock or grower feed with 18-20% protein. No chicken should be eating layer feed when not laying eggs. Just put out a container of oyster shell for any of the others that may still be laying. I also offer a can of tuna or a tin of sardines 3 times a week during the molt for extra quality protein.

Thanks so much for the reply. She's was still laying so I had her on layer feed still but will switch over and provide a supplement for the others. Thanks, I had a couple chickens years ago but lived in a sunny warm climate and never saw them molt like this. Thanks for the reassurance. Dorothy, Henrietta, Prudence, Ariel, and Sparkle thank you too!

 

[Jenbirdee]

hello and welcome!

 

[RoyalChick]

Welcome to BYC. Settle in and enjoy the community here.
She is molting as Dobie said.
You can get high protein layer feeds - I feed Kalmbach Full Plume Feather which is 29% protein and calcium at the layer feeds percentage (3.5% from memory).
But none of mine are laying so they are getting a 20% Flick Maker feed until spring.

 

[Sparrows]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

 

[Tookie]

Welcome to BYC! We're glad to have you here.
As already mentioned, Dorothy is just molting. So nothing to worry about!

 

[Marie2020]

Good morning from UK

I hope Dorothy stops moulting soon

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! We're very happy to have you with us!

 

[N F C]

Hi, in addition to the good advice already given, this article from the Learning Center may be of interest to you: Molting: All You Need to Know